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I think I was about 13 or 14 playing around with stuff as my dad worked on his race cars. Right out of high school I got a job in an auto body shop. everything was lite gauge steel and all mig work. I didn't learn stick till I was in my late 20's, and learned tig about 9 or 10 years ago. I think i'm just getting into my prime at the ripe old age of 43. Dave

If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!

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14 and been at it since 40 now and working on the kids already 11 and 3 the 3 yrold likes to watch and loves the auto hood and she even keeps it on till out of the shop but what do you expect she can count to 20 in english and spanish already maybe it will be a ..and daugther shop one of these days or she migth be the old mans lawyer.lol

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Started at age 10 or 11 welding airplane parts with the torch, started tig when I was 18........still havent put the torch down! I bought a lil mig to have as well.....seems to collect a lot of dust though. Never owned or used a stick welder.......never see a need to.

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I just started welding the beginning of the year, used my Christmas money up, and I'm a few days away from 16. So I've had a little bit of late start compared to most of you, but better late than never I guess.

* A man's word is his honor..... without honor, there is nothing. *
* Words are like bullets..... once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back. *
* I have no reservation to kill nor hesitation to die for the U.S. Constitution & the American Flag. *
* Age is a state of mind..... at my age, you cannot fathom what is in my mind. *

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11 when I was taught by my dad about stick welding. 14 when I first picked up a MIG gun and welded a bead. 17 when I finished my first year of Vocational training. Now 30, and practice most common forms of welding monthly.

Jonny

Dynasty 300DX
Esab PCM 1000

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I was thirteen when I first picked up an AO torch, and was addicted by the fire. (I'm a bit of a pyro) Fourteen when I first mig welded, 15 when I first stick welded and 16 when I started Mig welding daily at work. Also tried Tig welding at 16 and the beads are looking pretty nice now. Just turned 17 not to long ago, so Iv'e got lots of time to practice.

If you love it, you will become good at it.

Dynasty 200DX, first generation

Makita 5" grinder
Makita 14" abrasive saw

IR SS5L compressor

Whole bunch of hand/air tools.

and a wish list a mile long

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Interesting post. I started at 11 welding crab pot frames together. With stick of course which is hard because the frames where made from 1/4" round stock. Not a very big weld, but I had fun. Grew up using just stick [lots of farm equipment] after serving in the Marines, went to work for local town in the garage [mechanic] and did most of the welding there on construction equipment. After a couple of years went to work for the local electric utillity, where i am still at 19 years latter. [ 43 yrs old now]Started here as an equipment and hydraulic technician. Did road work for 8 yrs and now am shop foreman. Although mechanics by trade, we do a considerable amount of fabrication and welding in the reapir and maintenance of line equipment. Have a welding business on the side that I enjoy alot. Really cool to read where everybody has worked and different things people have done. Keep on posting, I'm sure there are more guys that have had interesting careers.

Scott
HMW [Heavy Metal welding]

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I'm 31 now. Started welding with my dad and brother when I was eleven or so. Brother was making fun of me saying that I probably couldn't even get a stick to light up without sticking. Proved him wrong on the first try. (not that it was pretty,or even usable, but the rod didn't stick!!) We were building corner and tensioning posts for some fence dad was building. That was on an AC only Lincoln 225 cracker box that is still in the family, BTW. Did stick only until I was 21 and bought a small wire feeder for FC only. After that there was no turning back. Started building trailers, implements, truck accessories, and who knows how much repair and maintenance work. For a short time after college, I worked for a LWS in Atlanta as a route driver hauling gases. That's where I stocked up on equipment since I was eligible for employee discounts. Racked up a MM210, Spectrum 375, Syncrowave 180, and a Bobcat 250. Should be set for this addiction for a while....yay right! There's still $10K of stuff I want! SSS

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My 5 year old daughter has been asking me for a couple of weeks to try welding. I finally got her started on the MIG machine this past weekend. She's really into art projects, so she really likes the idea of making her own "sculpture". I was surprised how well she did tracking the seam and manipulating the gun. She won't be welding trailers (we'll wait until she 6 for that! ) but she's sticking stuff together!